News: According to published reports, Noronen signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Super League.
Analysis: Noronen was expected to serve as the backup to starter Roberto Luongo. He never really lived up to expectations in Buffalo or Vancouver.
News: Mika Noronen allowed five goals on just 27 shots in Tuesday's debut for the Canucks in Nashville, as he took the loss.
Analysis: Noronen will likely get one start every seven to 10 days, most likely during back-to-back situation. He has minimal Fantasy appeal unless Alex Auld suffers a long-term injury.
News: The team's official website is reporting Alex Auld is expected to start Monday's game at Dallas and then Mika Noronen will make his Vancouver debut on Tuesday in Nashville.
Analysis: Set your lineups accordingly in all Fantasy leagues which allow daily transactions.
News: Mika Noronen has yet to make his debut for the Canucks, as Alex Auld got another start on Saturday against Marty Turco and the Stars in a 2-1 loss.
Analysis: Auld is still the man in Vancouver despite the acquisition of Mika Noronen at the break. Expect the duo to split a pair of starts Monday at Dallas and Tuesday at Nashville.
News: The Buffalo Sabres traded Mika Noronen, not veteran Martin Biron, to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday for a second-round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Analysis: Noronen will go from an afterthought in Buffalo to serving as the primary backup to Alex Auld in Vancouver. He is only worth Fantasy consideration should Auld go down to a serious injury.
News: Mika Noronen has only played in four games this season for Buffalo, as he's stuck on the depth charts behind Ryan Miller and Martin Biron at goaltender.
Analysis: Noronen is not worth owning until an injury befalls a starter ahead of him.
News: Mika Noronen will either be returned to Rochester of the AHL or might be part of a trade once Ryan Miller (thumb) returns from his conditioning assignment with the Amerks.
Analysis: Miller is expected to back up a hot Martin Biron, who was the subject of trade rumors before heating up once Miller went down. Noronen is likely the odd-man out and will find himself wearing another sweater shortly, whether in the Buffalo organization or elsewhere.
News: Noronen made 26 saves on Saturday at Ottawa, but he also allowed seven goals.
Analysis: Noronen has allowed 13 goals over his past two starts, raising his GAA from 2.13 to 2.47 during the span.
News: Mika Noronen became the eighth NHL goalie to score a goal in a regular season game at Toronto Saturday. He was credited with the goal that was inadvertently tapped in by Toronto's Robert Reichel. He also made 17 saves and got the win.
Analysis: Noronen should be starting in all leagues, but Fantasy owners shouldn't expect a scoring streak any time soon.
News: Mika Noronen (groin) was activated from injured reserve on Tuesday. He made 35 saves and allowed two goals in a win over Philadelphia.
Analysis: It appears safe to get Noronen back into the active lineup, although with the solid play of Martin Biron in his absence, they will likely split time between the pipes.
News: The Buffalo News Mika Noronen (groin) notes that Noronen will probably see game action within the next few days.
Analysis: Noronen emerged as the team's top goaltender before missing six games while injured. But now that Martin Biron is playing so well, the team might keep Noronen on the bench until Biron cools off.
News: The Buffalo News reports Mika Noronen (groin) worked out with the team for the first time on Thursday since he was placed on injured reserve.
Analysis: Noronen is expected to remain on injured reserve until at least Jan. 12 when the team travels to Boston. Keep him reserved until he is able to officially return to the lineup.
News: According to published reports, Mika Noronen (groin) was able to skate in practice on Monday, but he will likely be sidelined for a few more games.
Analysis: Noronen will likely return in mid-January, but he will not be rushed back until he is 100 percent. Veteran Martin Biron has played well in his absence.
News: The Sabres placed Noronen on injured reserve Tuesday after the goaltender suffered a groin injury in Monday's game against the Hurricanes.
Analysis: Noronen will be sidelined at least one week. The club recalled Ryan Miller from Rochester of the AHL.
News: Mika Noronen turned away 36 shots in Friday's win against the Canadiens.
Analysis: Noronen has won three of his four starts this season. With Martin Biron struggling, Noronen might see additional playing time.
News: Mika Noronen stopped 18 shots in Thursday's 5-3 win over Toronto.
Analysis: Noronen will not get enough starts to warrant any Fantasy consideration.
News: Mika Noronen stopped 20 shots and shutout Calgary on Saturday for his first start of the season.
Analysis: Noronen is competing with rookie Ryan Miller and Martin Biron for starts. He is not worth starting in most Fantasy leagues unless he nails down the job.
News: Noronen was recalled from Rochester of the AHL by the Sabres Monday. He will only be worth picking up in a Fantasy league if he supplants Martin Biron as the team's starter in the coming weeks, which is an unlikely prospect.
Analysis:
News: The Sabres reassigned Noronen to Rochester of the AHL on Friday. With Ryan Miller now on the Buffalo roster and Martin Biron also around, there was no need for Noronen. Barring a complete collapse by Miller, Noronen's time as the Sabres' goalie-of-the-future might be just about over. Cut him, and pick up Miller.
Analysis:
News: The Sabres might give Noronen additional starts in the coming weeks. According to the Buffalo News, he has been outperforming starter Martin Biron, and coach Lindy Ruff plans to use both goalies if it will help the team win games. Neither Noronen nor Biron is a reliable Fantasy starter sharing time in goal, but monitor this situation. Noronen might be a useful pickup if he grabs hold of the starting job in the coming weeks.
Analysis:
News: Goaltender Martin Biron has won his starting job back for the time being after the Buffalo Sabres demoted Noronen to the minors. The Sabres made the move Tuesday, but didn't rule out promoting Noronen next week once the team returns from a two-game road trip, which opens in Calgary on Thursday. Noronen went 2-1-1 and allowed 11 goals in starting five of the Sabres' past eight games.
Analysis:
News: The Sabres recalled Noronen from Rochester of the AHL on Thursday, just two days after he was sent back there by the team. Head Coach Lindy Ruff has not been happy with starting goaltender Martin Biron's or backup Bob Essensa's play of late, and this move could be of more consequence this time around. It is unclear who will get the playing time in the short term, but it would not be surprising if Noronen gets a chance at winning the starting job. You might want to pick him up in a deeper league or as insurance if you're a Biron owner.
Analysis:
News: Noronen was sent back to Rochester of the AHL by the Sabres on Tuesday. This was a bit of an unexpected move, as he had played decently in giving regular goaltender Martin Biron some well-needed rest. Noronen could be back with the team later in the year, but this move assures Biron's Fantasy value for at least the forseeable future.
Analysis:
News: Noronen left Saturday's game in New York against the Rangers in the third period with a muscle strain. He is day to day, and you should definitely keep him reserved for this week if you picked him up when he was recalled.
Analysis:
News: The Sabres recalled Noronen from Rochester of the AHL prior to their trip to Dallas for Wednesday's game, according to the Buffalo News. "We're going to keep him around for a couple days, evaluate him, watch him in practice," said Head Coach Lindy Ruff. "Then we'll go from there." Noronen will get a start or two before being returned to the minors, but this development puts starter Martin Biron's and backup Bob Essensa's status in question. It's not entirely impossible for Noronen to become the starting goalie before the end of the year, but don't panic and give up on Biron right now.
Analysis:
News: Noronen was sent to Rochester of the AHL by the Sabres on Friday. This cements Martin Biron as Buffalo's starting goaltender this season. Don't bother selecting Noronen this year except in very deep keeper leagues.
Analysis:
News: Noronen is likely to be assigned to Rochester of the AHL if he doesn't beat out Martin Biron as the Sabres' No. 1 goaltender, according to the Buffalo News. Bob Essensa will be the backup, and we think it's highly unlikely that Noronen will overtake Biron for the starting job to open the season. While it's possible that Noronen could get the call if Biron struggles during the year, it's better to leave this youngster to the waiver wire rather than take him during your draft.
Analysis:
News: The Sabres sent Noronen to Rochester of the AHL today, recalling Peter Skudra. The move was designed to give the young Noronen more playing time with starter Dominik Hasek fully healed from his knee strain. Expect Noronen to get the call if Hasek goes down again.
Analysis:
News: Noronen earned his second straight win Saturday in place of the injured Dominik Hasek. He stopped 19 shots as the Sabres beat the Kings 5-3.
Analysis:
News: With backup goaltender Martin Biron still holding out, the Sabres were forced to turn to Noronen when starter Dominik Hasek left the game with an injury. Noronen, the AHL's Rookie of the Year last season and owner of a 3-0 preseason record, stopped 15 of 17 shots and will assume the starting job until Hasek returns. We'll keep you posted on his status between now and lineup deadline time.
Analysis:
